Reconstruction, Expansion, Urbanization (The Changing Nation)

• Reconstruction, Expansion, Urbanization (The Changing Nation)
  • Political and social factors influenced the development of western states and the rebuilding of southern states after the Civil War
  • The rise of industrialization and immigration led to significant changes how many Americans lived
  • The United States began to become more involved in matters outside the country’s borders

Reconstruction Powerpoint

History Channel link

PBS Jim Crow link

The Changing Nation
Unit Summary:

How and why the US expanded westward after the Civil War:

• The development of railroads opened areas of the west for settlement;
• Natural resources made this financially desirable
• Wars broke out between the US and Indian tribes angry with settlers impacting their lands
• Treaties with tribes were often broken when new resources were found on Indian land

How cities changed and developed in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s:

• New technology (like electricity) led to increases in factory production
• Urban areas grew with factory workers who relocated from rural areas and immigrants from eastern Europe and Asia
• Cities began to offer more in the way of culture (theaters, concert halls) and recreation (parks, professional sports
• Better transportation (like streetcars) led cities to expand over wider areas

How the conflict between businesses and workers played out:

• Business owners sought to increase profits by decreasing workers’ pay or increasing workers’ productivity for the same pay
• Workers began to band together and form unions to address concerns about pay, hours, and safety
• Work stoppages by workers as protests often resulted in violent clashes between workers and security firms hired by business owners
• Along with worker protests, workplace disasters led to some reforms, like limits on hours and child labor

Political changes and reforms that occurred in the early 20th century:

• Journalists and other reformers protested and raised awareness about widespread corruption involving politicians and corporations
• The Populist and Progressive movements were attempts to make government work more effectively for common citizens
• Political reforms like a primary system and recall votes helped to limit the impact of political corruption
• Women gained the right to vote in 1920, which influenced how politicians had to address various issues